Network Key question

Recently bought a new PC and am trying to connect it to my laptop
through a wireless network. I have a few beginner questions.
In router setup, I have entered a string of characters into Key1. Must
have been correct since it works.But I notice I have key1 . . > key4.

If I enter different strings into all 4 keys, is my network more secure?

I am set up to use WEP. Should I move to WPA - I hear it is more secure.

How do I change the string in key1? Just change the string on the
router page (for PC) and wireless properties (for laptop)?

old guy wrote:

> Recently bought a new PC and am trying to connect it to my laptop
> through a wireless network. I have a few beginner questions.
> In router setup, I have entered a string of characters into Key1.
> Must have been correct since it works.But I notice I have key1 . . >
> key4.
>
> If I enter different strings into all 4 keys, is my network more
> secure?

No. This is just giving you choices. You only enter one key.

>
> I am set up to use WEP. Should I move to WPA - I hear it is more
> secure.

WPA is more secure but your hardware - both the router and the laptop
wireless adapter - have to support WPA.
>
> How do I change the string in key1? Just change the string on the
> router page (for PC) and wireless properties (for laptop)?

Most routers give you the opportunity to enter a passphrase which will
then generate a key. There is usually a "generate" button to click. You
will not use the passphrase again. You will enter the key in your
laptop's wireless configuration.

Malke
--
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"

Malke wrote:
> old guy wrote:
>
>
>>Recently bought a new PC and am trying to connect it to my laptop
>>through a wireless network. I have a few beginner questions.
>>In router setup, I have entered a string of characters into Key1.
>>Must have been correct since it works.But I notice I have key1 . . >
>>key4.
>>
>>If I enter different strings into all 4 keys, is my network more
>>secure?
>
>
> No. This is just giving you choices. You only enter one key.
>
>
>>I am set up to use WEP. Should I move to WPA - I hear it is more
>>secure.
>
>
> WPA is more secure but your hardware - both the router and the laptop
> wireless adapter - have to support WPA.
>
>>How do I change the string in key1? Just change the string on the
>>router page (for PC) and wireless properties (for laptop)?
>
>
> Most routers give you the opportunity to enter a passphrase which will
> then generate a key. There is usually a "generate" button to click. You
> will not use the passphrase again. You will enter the key in your
> laptop's wireless configuration.
>
> Malke
Thanks for the reply.
Just one follow up.
'This is just giving you choices. You only enter one key.' What do you
mean by 'choices?' If I only have one key, how do I choose?

next to each key is a bullet circle. click on the bullet of the key you wish
to use.

"old guy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Malke wrote:
>> old guy wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Recently bought a new PC and am trying to connect it to my laptop
>>>through a wireless network. I have a few beginner questions.
>>>In router setup, I have entered a string of characters into Key1. Must
>>>have been correct since it works.But I notice I have key1 . . >
>>>key4.
>>>
>>>If I enter different strings into all 4 keys, is my network more
>>>secure?
>>
>>
>> No. This is just giving you choices. You only enter one key.
>>
>>
>>>I am set up to use WEP. Should I move to WPA - I hear it is more
>>>secure.
>>
>>
>> WPA is more secure but your hardware - both the router and the laptop
>> wireless adapter - have to support WPA.
>>
>>>How do I change the string in key1? Just change the string on the
>>>router page (for PC) and wireless properties (for laptop)?
>>
>>
>> Most routers give you the opportunity to enter a passphrase which will
>> then generate a key. There is usually a "generate" button to click. You
>> will not use the passphrase again. You will enter the key in your
>> laptop's wireless configuration.
>>
>> Malke
> Thanks for the reply.
> Just one follow up.
> 'This is just giving you choices. You only enter one key.' What do you
> mean by 'choices?' If I only have one key, how do I choose?

Four keys are hangover of some obsolete standard.
You need to always use 1st one and ignore others.

--PA

"old guy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:vUrKd.996$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Recently bought a new PC and am trying to connect it to my laptop
> through a wireless network. I have a few beginner questions.
> In router setup, I have entered a string of characters into Key1. Must
> have been correct since it works.But I notice I have key1 . . > key4.
>
> If I enter different strings into all 4 keys, is my network more secure?
>
> I am set up to use WEP. Should I move to WPA - I hear it is more secure.
>
> How do I change the string in key1? Just change the string on the
> router page (for PC) and wireless properties (for laptop)?